Sunday, December 10, 2017

I don't often get obsessed by clothes but I saw this skirt and I really love the simplicity.

Then I remembered some purple gingham I bought at the op shop a few years ago. It's a beautiful polished cotton with such a nice hand and drape almost like a rayon. I have cut view D which is on the bias and have cut long (will be pieced together) ties. I was playing pattern tetras with this because the fabric was a 1.5 mt square but the pattern suggests 2.1 metres so I have cut the front overlay and the back piece whole, and the under wrap part will be pieced.

The other problem with this fabric was it was stretched on one side... so I lay it flat on the floor for a week and kept pulling and stretching it back. I wasn't perfect but not as bad as it was. Did you notice how much for that simple skirt... US$301 and sold out! I'll need a top and I have a cut of beautiful cream crepe (remnant from the designer fabric sale $1) that I will make something up - not sure what though.

This is what is nearly finished at the moment ... Burda 3490. It took ages to cut out but a quick sew now just waiting for the neck facing, arm holes and hem to be finished. I omitted the zip.. it doesn't need it.

Here's a close up of the line drawing ... Lois anyone? Great op shop find a few years ago for $1.

This is the fabric I've used.. rayon from East Coast Fabrics earlier in the year or last year. I should finish that today if I can... I'm so tired and just don't trust myself sewing when I haven't sleep well for 2 weeks. There is some tricky overlocking to be done at that front point under the bust too and I won't chance it... been there done that, hole by overlocker.

I have next week off and want to do some Christmas sewing for some sisters. A dress for one, swimwear for another and maybe some active wear tights for another... lets see what gets finished.
Are you making anything for Christmas gifts?

Saturday, December 2, 2017

So I've made another Simplicity 8296 but in a dress. I made view E sleeves with length of B probably but I just used the length of 2 remnants from Spotlight. I think this is the first time in simply eons that I have made something in the current fashion, in current fashion fabric!

Here's the back... bad iPhone photo. I made a size 10 at the shoulders and armholes and then graded it out to the 18 at the hips. I could probably go to the 12 or 14 really... it's a bit swishy. I could also use a sway back adjustment too.

Bit of a daggy length though. I may take it up a smidge. I also like that this pattern has a bust dart but I make it a little shorter. I have the McCall's that's pretty much the same but no bust dart and no flat panel on the front. Plus it's a much narrower fit so this one is better for my shape. I probably wouldn't have bought this fabric if I'd seen it on a roll for $16 per metre, but as a cheap remnant I'm happier to test patterns. I don't mind this at all now it's made up. I was going to make this in a cut of rayon I did buy at Spotlight with a voucher my son gave me for Christmas last year, but then I loved it so much I wanted to test this dress first. I may make it up for Christmas day.

I wore this to our work Christmas celebration last night. My colleague neighbour kept stopping people telling them I made my dress! How embarrassment! Start to finish is probably 3 hours. Pretty quick dress. I also made the straps and instead of sewing them on, I'm going to make button holes on each end and then put buttons on the dress and voila, straps when I want them. The beauty with this dress also is I just wear my ordinary bra and pull the straps down. It was quite comfortable which surprised me but when you have larger breasts it's quite heavy on the shoulders so that is probably why. Also near impossible to get a strapless bra that gives you some support and comfort so I don't mind this.

I noticed this morning that the fabric is the same as the one on the back cover of the family Ottobre design magazine just out. Theirs is much more saturated colours and much more colourful (more colours) but it's the same print and their fabric is listed as viscose satin. That sounds nice.
If I can bear to part with some fabric, I'm going to make my sister one for Christmas and I just remembered I bought her some fabric years ago for a dress. (I have 4 sisters but I can't make tham all a dress... or maybe I can?)

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Last Sunday my sister called at 8am and said come over for lunch and the boys can have a swim. Perfect, except I just remembered, I bought lycra from Pitt Trading for swimming togs for Alex but I hadn't made them yet. I go to aqua aerobics every Sunday at 9am so I dragged out my Jalie 3242 pattern, measured Alex and traced a size T. I was going to use Katherine's (Sew Blooms) tips to change a Jalie into togs for boys but I have a different pattern so with my limited time, I just went with what I had.

I got them to here before having to go to aqua. I came back at 10.20 and then I finished them off and left the house by 12 noon. I used the coverstitch to do the hems and around the ...middle, but I think this makes them look like undies but I also figured it would keep the seams flat and less aggravating.

I get this great elastic from Trad's ... it's elastic that's about 2.5 cm wide and it has nylon tie through it, which is perfect for boy's togs. I cut a waistband about 7 cm wide, made an interfaced buttonhole and zigzagged the elastic on through the middle, jutting the edges together. Then I folded it over and zigzagged it on and then flipped it and topstitched with the coverstitch but the straight stitches on the outside.

This is what the waistband looks like on the inside edge with the buttonhole and the tie threaded out of it. I think this was about $3 per metre so pretty good.

The lycra I got from Pitt Trading. It was $20 per metre, very nice quality and something my son liked... he's not too fussed on prints, action heroes or novelty prints, so I snapped it up (along with some other stuff I'll use soon too, show you then) before he could forget that he liked it. I was also lucky that the overlocker had some blue thread in it and the coverstitch had the grey so that was easy.

Modelled shots. His thoughts: "they fit perfectly!" He was vey happy with them and he said they were very comfortable.

The only thing I changed was to make a centre back seam to make them look more like togs and not undies. I still see undies though and I may pull out the middle coverstitching.

And I couldn't resist taking a photo of this fabric... someone on the bus wearing a knit dress made out of this... this is my kind of animal print (which I don't do). I love pink and grey.

Speaking of grey, I made a dress of Simplicity 8296 today for our work Christmas party tomorrow, so I'll post photos when I have some. Tiger, tiger burning bright...pink! 😉

Saturday, November 25, 2017

So I've been sewing some tops. This Simplicity 8296 was one of the ones my friend brought back for me from the States. I also got the McCall's one but I like this flat front band and the McCalls is a different cut and not as wide around the hips where I need it. This has a dart too and that's useful for me too.

The top is made from a remnant my friend gave me a few years ago. It's a lovely soft beautiful, good quality cotton. It was easy to sew and a it's lovely to wear. I've got my ordinary bra on with the straps on my arms. I couldn't be bothered to wear the strapless. I was just off to vote. All I can think is I am wearing something that is actually in fashion... I always seem to be out of kilter.

This is the back view. I've always loved peasant tops/dresses. I think they are a snap to sew and easy to wear and flattering for a larger bust. I think the bra is really letting me down. My only daily bra died after being washed and worn for a year... yes I know, disgusting however you don't know how many hours I have spent looking to buy another/more. Something that fits my very small under bust measurement for my large cup size. I'm into making up some at the moment but haven't got too far yet, but I will conquer it.

This lovely little top pattern I have made before in View A. View C is what I've made here below and I saw some in Gorman in a very similar front. I really like the back view. It's very easy.

I had my son take some photos and when he was taking this one he stopped and made sure the bottom of the top was sitting straight... isn't he sweet! I thought I was really clever and cut a little curved wedge of the top corner of the top at the armscye to narrow it which did work a treat except that the front was so wide it puckers and is just too wide. That's ok as I was testing it in this really lovely rayon that come from my Mum's old stash, but unfortunately it has some stain marks (very few) and some holes so no harm done. Good enough for doing jobs in the garden and staying cool (ha ha..no jobs get done in the garden... but maybe in the holidays, it really needs it!).

You can see here how the front doesn't fit. I did use the bodice part of McCalls 7542 as it has the cup sizes so maybe that's why it's too big.. but I used that at the side seams to get a quick FBA of sorts.

This next one was cut out of some material I got from an op shop which was a table cloth I think or something like that.. could have been a dress or skirt too. I liked the colours and seersucker is cool. Still too wide but this is more stable fabric and I don't mind it so much. If you notice there was two really large pockets so I used them on the front but it's not like I'm going to use them... like I need more bulk there. What was I thinking! Maybe I'll take them off?

The back has a little frill. This is more because I didn't have enough length. I thought it may look silly but I don't mind it. The pants I'm wearing are some RTW rayon twill that were reasonably priced at $20 and I've worn them a lot the last year.

This was a nice surprise in the mail this week too. The Family Ottobre. I am pleased with this as it has all the basics.. undies, singlet top, shirt, t-shirt, 2 styles of pants (chino and jeans), a sweatshirt, zip up hoodie and a dressing gown. My Burda patterns won't fit my son after this year so this will be my go to and I can add and remove different design elements for a range of size 46-60 European sizes (whatever that translates to).

I need to use my Ottobre magazines more.. I think I've only made 3 things and two I made ages ago and didn't blog. Next is the Simplicity off shoulder pattern in a dress to wear to my work Christmas party next Friday. Last Christmas my son gave me a Spotlight voucher and I bought some rayon that I loved and it will be made out of that. After that who knows. And of course there is Christmas coming too. What's on everyone's sewing table (or messy room as it is for me..LOL!).

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Firstly, thanks for all the nice comments in recent posts. I know it takes some effort when we are all so busy. I really appreciate the thoughts.

I finished the shorts I was making for my son. Sorry he's at his Dad's so there are not photos of him wearing them. The pattern is the Burda 9965 which as you can see is for jeans type pants. I couldn't find the other Burda pattern I used to make his cloud shorts so I just used this one. It's got some weird details like the fold over flap at the hem and the maple leaf look pockets.. yes they are maple leaves as I just checked the pattern and it says "Imported for Canada". Anyone know if the flaps are for some purpose or just a design feature?

Oops, should have cropped out my foot! This is some gabardine that I bought on our recent trip to Toowoomba. $3 for the piece at the op shop. He's hard to please with patterns and colours so I was pleased he liked this.

Best fly I have ever done and the best instructions ever (yes, even though it's a Burda pattern!).

When putting the zip the instructions tell you to fold a cm past the seam line. This makes the top part of the fly sit cleanly over and no seeing the zip under it. I'm sure I haven't had that instruction before (or if I have I don't remember it). Just makes such a neat finish. I put op shop purchased bias binding on the inside waistband and decided to use a snap as I didn't have a button in the right colour. Yes, and no grey zip in my zip stash but it doesn't matter as you can't see it at all! It was also a bit long so I moved the metal stop and made it fit.

Back view... it's not too noticeable but the pockets are not exactly even. It annoys me but I balanced time with annoyance factor and the time factor won out. Lets face it my son (nor anyone else most likely) will notice and the time to unpick it all and do it again just wasn't an option. My sewing time is limited and I need so many things. I didn't put any elastic in the back waistband although it is a little loose however the way my son is growing, give it a number of weeks and they'll fit well. He loves them so I'm happy. A great basic. I need to make him some togs (swimmers) next but right now back to me!

Sunday, November 5, 2017

I made this Vena Cava Vogue 1228 (sorry I don't have a photo of the pattern) out of some fabric I got at The Spoolette High Tea - maybe the second one.... anyone recognise it? I'm not often drawn to but but I like the pattern and it's mostly navy. It's a polyester chiffon but it's quite nice and it was easy to work with.

I cut it out last year and had it in a bag... it's such an easy pattern I'm not really sure why it took me so long but probably by the time I got to it, it was out of season and then forgotten and shuffled around in the sewing room. After the coat I really wanted something quick and I really didn't want to cut anything out. I had a Lekala cut and half done too, but couldn't bring myself to finish it (it's done now.. that'll be the next post).

I do remember Up Sew Late had made a couple and so I read up and garnered that the top was very low. I am about 15cm shorter than Gabrielle (I think she is about 175cm and I'm 160ish) so if she needed to pull up the neckline I would for sure... basically it's the pleat at the front made a little deeper. I made French seams which really was quicker than threading the overlocker. If I had the overlocker threaded in a dark colour I would have been lazy, no doubt about it, but it was threaded in the fuchsia of the coat so I didn't dare as the fabric is a bit transparent. In actual fact French seams are really quick and this had no tricky bits to slow me down. I didn't add the sleeve cuffs although I had cut them out. As you can see I don't need them... my T-Rex arms are barely there as is. The fringing on the bottom is from some fringing my sister found in her op shop finds. It is excellent quality cotton fringing (? well it's natural fibre if not cotton - burn test result). I did a burn test first, then a wash test and it didn't shrink and it was good as new. I have a lovely red and a twisted fringe in an off white so there may be more fringing around. I really like it. It dances as I walk. I feel it really elevates this dress and I really love wearing it.

I was not sure this would suit me but I feel good in it and it fits really well. I think I made a 10 in the shoulders and graded out for my hips. It really fits at the back too with no sway back adjustment so WIN. There is no photo of the back - my photographer isn't interested in back and side views - he feels one is enough.... sheesh! I hope to make more soon. Thanks to the Spoolette who donated the fabric. The pattern was an op shop find from my considerable stash (that is so big now I am getting mentally prepared to put them up for sale on Etsy as I won't sew with them all and some I don't like for me but loved the artwork and/or style). I'll let you know though as I have some great patterns and they will be priced to find a new loving home.... just don't hold your breath - it's on the bottom of the to-do list).

Also as this fabric is transparent, I needed a slip. I had a remnant of the softest navy rayon about a metre long. I used Burda 2711. It's just 2 pieces and the front has a dart. That's it poking out at the top of the dress... I don't like that but it's probably good for work. I do love this pattern and I shall use it to make a linen dress from it too. My own 'Ogden' if you will, it's so similar (I mean really it's so basic I couldn't bear to spend USD$14 or whatever for such a basic pattern). I didn't have enough fabric to do anything more fancy. I had to straighten the sides a little to fit the fabric I had. I ran some pre-made bias binding and then added some straps. It's perfect and so comfy. I did wear a slip I made from a Style Arc pattern, but it was made with a synthetic fabric and it was SO hot.. wearing two plastic bags.

I am also making some more shorts for my son using Burda 9965 (no photo). The fabric I bought for a few dollars in Toowoomba in September when we went to the Carnival of Flowers. I was really please with my sewing of the back pocket.. finished and snipped the threads... then I saw this....

Do you see what's happened? I had both pieces of the back together and so I had to unpick the pocket and do it all again. Rats! They are waiting for zip/fly and waistband and they'll be done. Burda shorts are a really great fit for boys.

Next I'll talk about my first Lekala experience. Oh and thanks everyone for the very lovely comments on my coat. I'm really chuffed 😊.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

I got these patterns last year from my friend in the US. I finally made the waterfall coat from some delicious raspberry wool. This is from the fabric sale I go to... $4 per meter!!! It is a bit fuzzy on one side and shiny and smooth on the other. It is beautiful and soft and perfect for this jacket. I just got rid of my wool coat I bought about 25 years ago. Sounds like eons, but in Brisbane it got worn only on cold days when I was going out, it got a lot of wear when I bought it but mostly for going into and back from work, so really not a lot of wear on a day to day basis. I saw it had worn through a couple of months ago so time to go. Don't get me wrong, I knew it had to go years ago but I wasn't working for 12 years so wasn't budget for it or real need either.

It seems all my photos will be in the work lift. Sorry I know they are terrible but I just don't have a good photo set up or the time (mostly no inclination). I had my backpack and walking shoes on. I messed up the dart in the front of the shoulder on one side. Nothing you'd notice but it just slightly puts the waterfall of the front out (not that you see it in this photo with the backpack on). I think I'll put some shoulder pads in it though. I have tiny shoulders and I made this a 12 I think so I could layer under it but I should have made the 10. I was surprised there were no pockets in this pattern so I added lovely deep ones. I have only worn it once. I was the hottest winter here with the average temperature being 26 degrees (ha so not winter) so by the time I got to it, it was too hot. Next year I'll see it I need to add a belt as it kind of swishes about. I'll need to wear it more.

I also wore the New Look 6549 pants and the Simplicity 9437 top to work for casual Friday. I got a lot of compliments for the pants. It's a really great pattern with the perfect amount of flare for me... I get a little overwhelmed with too much fabric swishing about my legs. I'm a fast walker so I feel like the fabric will get trapped in my legs and trip me over... probably not likely but that's how it feels.
The top is a great basic pattern that is quick to make and the fabric would make it look different. I have some small cuts of silk that I'll try and make up for a work 'uniform'. Some more of these pants too. I think I'll hem the top a little sorter though.. I like a top to finish at my hip bone.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

This is a bad elevator photo of one of the Halle skirts. It's worn with he rayon top and a long cardi bought at Kmart. I'm going to copy this cardi as I like it. I didn't think I would hence buying a cheap one but having said that, I've used it heaps and it hasn't pilled. I've got a lovely floral knit I bought from the fabric sale last year (earlier this year??) but as it's going to be 37 degrees tomorrow, don't know if it's worth investing the time.

Also I made a bra. I went to a bra making workshop last Saturday. It's not finished and it doesn't fit hence the not finished. I'm leaving you with some photos and when I have the energy on the weekend I'll review the course and the pattern as I see it. Maybe it'll be finished by then too... I have it half pulled apart now to redo and I also have a Kwik Sew pattern I have had cut out for a couple of months and maybe I'll get that made too. Not bad for a first go and really it isn't hard... as per usual it's the fitting and adjusting that's the issue.

Friday, September 22, 2017

This should be called the *rapiest photos ever.. anyway, this is from probably two months ago. I have just had no time to get good photos or me wearing them even though I wore them a lot during winter. Of course winter here is about 5 minutes long.

I scored the Style Arc Halle Stretch Skirt from the Spooleetes High Tea in April. I love the asymmetric front. The skirts below are not in the order I made them. It's a great pattern. Three pieces and I can cut one out and sew it up in 30 minutes. Perfect work skirt.

This piece of fabric was from New Zealand when I was living there in 2003. It was just a small piece and just enough for a front/back straight piece using the back pattern piece only, with splits on the side. It is excellent fabric and a very plain but useful skirt.

The second made was the very spongy black patterned knit stuff. I bought this at Darn Cheap in Melbourne last year. It's soft and warm and very easy to sew. It was the full size and is nice and comfy. I needed to shorten it through the middle for the next iteration as it at a daggy length on me. With boots and tights it's great though. The plan was to make a raglan top in same fabric but that never got made. Further down I'll show you the raglan top I made to wear with it.

This one is made from a ponte from Spotlight a couple of years ago. The purple stripe actually meets in a right angle and it looks really nice on.

First made was the red one, made from a scrap of scuba from Spotlight. Not my red (I like the more blue based and this is more orange based) but it's not next to my face so it doesn't matter. It was just a metre so the skirt is shorter than the pattern but it was a small investment in time and fabric to see if the skirt suited me.

Making these skirts prompted me to start using my coverstitch machine. I really wanted to get some good practise in and did. It is really easy to use and even changing colours is a breeze. I'm not afraid of it anymore.

This is the top I made to go with the black skirt. It's a scrap from the fabric sale. It was $1. It was to try Burda 6846 out. I made an 8 in the neck and shoulders and graded out to a 10 under the arms and to a 12 from there. It fits perfectly. It's a great colour but the fabric has pilled a bit. I thought it was the fabric at first but worked out it's my work lanyard.

The other top I made (I wear with the striped skirt) is another Simplicity 9437. This is a great simple pattern that fits really well.

I made it from some off white rayon from East Coast Fabrics. It's really comfortable and perfect for work.

I had started this green merino fleece sweatshirt for my son last year. I just needed to put some binding and hem the sleeves and waist. I used some stripe for the neck and sleeves and used the reverse coverstitch for the hem. I really like it but Alex hasn't worn it much. It won't fit him next year but it fits me so I may wear it, I really like the green with the stripes. The stripes is a double sided one that I got at Clear It in Melbourne. It's got wider stripes on the reverse. I really want to make a waterfall cardi with it.

This top was my first try at a boys t-shirt pattern to see the fit. It was a good fit and so I made another merino/nylon sweatshirt for my son. It's dark grey with a smooth outer which is nylon and the terry inside is merino. I've made some tights with it a couple of years ago and a sports jacket and it's so warm, comfy and wears so well.

The dinosaur print was a cotton knit remnant from Spotlight that I bought to use for practise. I wore it for winter pj's.

I made some New Look 6459 culottes from this rayon spot fabric and they fit perfectly. I wore them once and the second time I wore them they spit at the top of my thigh right in the middle length ways. I bought this fabric from an online shop and it was a nice heavy weight, but there was a couple of holes in it and I think it was old and hence it split. I was so disappointed. I made the white rayon top to wear together and it split under the arms but I fixed that up and it's fine. Funnily I read an article about reinforcing the underarm seams on those types of sleeves, so I did that.

I finished this dress ages ago but I think I stretched the facing around the front/neck and the shoulders are still too big for my niece. It looked so good on her but I'm not sure if I should invest the time to fit it properly or cut my losses and make it a skirt??? Any thoughts?

Thanks for reading this far. I have just finished a Butterick Lisette Waterfall coat so I'll post that next. Of cause just in time for it to be 37 degrees on the weekend. Oh and speaking of the weekend, on Saturday I'm doing a bra making workshop. So excited for a proper fitting bra.

Brisbane Spoolette

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About me

I love to sew, love to travel and do as much of both as I can but am doing less of both and not the level I'd like but that's life. I love alternative 70's and 80's music and 60's and 70's patterns. I can procrastinate with the best of them and work well under pressure (lucky, as I seem to be under pressure because I procrastinate!)
I love to cook and eat! Oh did I mention coffee?? I love coffee but don't have too much because it keeps me awake and now I have to have decaf (the shame)! I sleep badly and do yoga daily! I'm studying full time.
So.... Welcome to my world.